Ford wanted to explore how its automotive technology could be used to solve problems in other areas of life so it started an initiative it calls Interventions. With the active noise-cancelling technology, its design team chose to focus on dogs.
Many pets are averse to fireworks noise, and particularly dogs with their sensitive hearing. The UK RSPCA estimates that 45 percent of dogs show signs of fear when they hear fireworks.
“Many animals find fireworks scary – and compared to people, dogs can hear things that are four times further away, and across a much wider range of frequencies,” said Graeme Hall, a UK dog trainer known as The Dogfather.
“Preparing in advance of firework displays is the key – and part of that is to identify a place where your pets feel safe and happy.”
The kennel, which is a prototype at this stage, combines high-density cork cladding for soundproofing with the active noise-cancelling that comes via speakers. Inside it, fireworks noise is reduced to a level that won’t disturb a canine’s keen hearing.
Another project in the Interventions series, the Lane-Keeping Bed that keeps couples on their side of the mattress, recently went viral, bringing more attention to the earlier Noise-Cancelling Kennel.
“We wondered how the technologies we use in our cars could help people in other situations,” said Ford of Europe brand content manager Lyn West. “Making sure dogs and their owners could enjoy a stress-free New Year’s Eve seemed like the perfect application for our Active Noise Control system.”
Doggie design is an ever popular field among consumers, with IKEA launching a range of furniture just for the animals, tech company Petcube launching Internet-of-Things products that allow you to play with your pet remotely, and inventor Dominic Wilcox even designing a contemporary art exhibition for dogs to enjoy.
Ford’s noise-cancelling kennel shields dogs from fireworks [Dezeen]